"Julia Gray - Guardian 01 - The Dark Moon" - читать интересную книгу автора (Gray Julia)

Kamin added. 'He's clearly crippled, and who knows what damage may have been
done to his internal organs.'
'Including his brain,' Fauria put in.
They paused again as the implications of that remark sank in.
'It would do the Emperor's standing no good if it were to become known that he
had sired an imbecile,' one of the other seers observed.
'Seal the doors!' Mirival cried, suddenly decisive. 'No news, nothing at all,
leaves these rooms without my express approval.' As guards hurried to obey his
orders, he lowered his voice again and looked round at his colleagues. 'I will
speak to everyone here before they leave the palace, to ensure their
cooperation, but right now I must talk to Dheran. We can't hide the truth from
him.' Much as I'd like to, he added silently. 'So, what should I tell him?'
Shahan, who had been silent throughout the discussion, his disapproval
evident, now spoke again.
'Perhaps the second boy could actually be considered a blessing,' he said,
then hurried to explain in the face of the incredulity displayed by his
colleagues. 'Perhaps he was there to absorb the malign influences of the
conjunction, so that his twin might be saved from any such afflictions and
become the hero we all desire. Perhaps his role was to protect the Guardian.'
The old man watched as his fellow seers absorbed this idea, noting the
eagerness that crept into their expressions, and wondered whether he actually
believed his own theory.
'Coming from anyone else,' Mirival responded, smiling,
'I would take that as superstitious nonsense. From you it carries the stamp of
authority.' And it'll certainly be good enough for Dheran, he thought
privately. Dress it up in some suitably oracular language and he'll swallow it
whole.
'It's almost midnight, sir,' a deferential voice reminded him.
Mirival nodded.
'Everyone is to remain where they are until I return,' he informed the
gathering. 'It is time for my audience with the Emperor.'
Dheran was engrossed in a game of chaikra when Mirival entered the room. A
glance at the board told the seer that the Emperor's position was hopeless,
and that any competent opponent would force a win in a few moves. However, he
also knew that Remi, the young courtier who was Dheran's adversary, would
prolong the game for some time - and perhaps even contrive to lose, in spite
of his clearly superior skill. That boy will go far, Mirival thought, as the
young man looked up expectantly.
Dheran made the move that he had evidently been considering for some time,
then glanced up at his advisor.
'Is it over?'
'Yes, Your Majesty. The Empress has delivered you a healthy son, exactly as
prophesied.'
'Excellent.'
'Congratulations, sire,' Remi said.
'May I speak with the Emperor alone for a few moments, please.'
Although it had been phrased as a request, Remi was more than capable of
recognizing an order when he heard one. He rose and left the room quickly, but
in such a graceful manner that there was never any suggestion of haste in his
movements. Mirival waited until the door closed softly behind him before